[11/25/08 - 02:02 PM]Television's Most Watched Video Game Series "X-Play" Presents Four Year-End One-Hour Specials Starting December 2 on G4The special episodes include "X-Play Holiday Buyers Guide," "X-Play Best of 2008 Awards" Show, "X-Play 2008: The Year in Video Games" and "X-Play 2009 Preview Special."

[via press release from G4]

TELEVISION'S MOST WATCHED VIDEO GAME SERIES "X-PLAY" PRESENTS FOUR YEAR-END ONE-HOUR SPECIALS STARTING DECEMBER 2 ON G4

Special Episodes Include "X-Play Holiday Buyers Guide," "X-Play Best of 2008 Awards" Show, "X-Play 2008: The Year in Video Games" and "X-Play 2009 Preview Special"

Los Angeles, CA, November 25, 2008 � G4's popular video game series "X-Play" is expanding its in-depth, all-access coverage by bringing viewers four special one-hour episodes in the month of December. Embarking on one of the biggest months in "X-Play" history, hosts Adam Sessler and Morgan Webb bring fans additional news stories, demos, overviews and previews with four new amped up episodes airing every Tuesday night. The first of the new specials gives the ultimate budget conscious buyer an insider's guide to shopping this holiday season. Additional episodes will look back at the year in games, featuring the Best of 2008 Awards special, as well as deliver a sneak preview of what's to come in 2009. "X-Play Holiday Buyer's Guide" kicks off the series of one-hour specials on December 2 at 8 pm ET/PT. The three additional new episodes will air every Tuesday throughout the month of December,

While money has been tight this year for many industries, 2008 proved to be the biggest year for video games. Gaming companies delivered some of the most advanced and sophisticated games from the world's best known franchises and set all-time records for sales, creating new standards for game design and development and solidifying gaming as one of the most popular forms of entertainment among all age groups. "X-Play's" Tuesday night specials will provide tips from the experts on holiday shopping and the best ways to save money this season. The specials will also honor the best games across various categories, provide a retrospective look at the year's biggest news-makers, including overviews of record-breaking sales, and give a sneak peek at what's coming in 2009.

Below is a complete schedule of the upcoming "X-Play" specials:

"X-Play's Holiday Buyers Guide" � Tuesday, December 2 at 8pm ET/PT

A special one-hour episode dedicated to what's hot, what's not and the best bargains in video games this holiday season. The only buyers guide viewers will need this season featuring:

A one-hour "The 6th Annual Best of the Year Awards" special awards the top video games of 2008 in the following categories:

Game of the Year
Most Original Game
Best Gameplay Innovation
Best Multiplayer Game
Best Action/Adventure Game
Best Sports Game
Best Shooter
Best Role Playing Game
Best New Character
Best Art Direction
Best Animation
Best Writing
Best Original Soundtrack
Best Sound Design
Best Downloadable Content
Best New Downloadable Game
Best Strategy Game
Best Racing Game
Best Music/Rhythm Game
Best Handheld Game
Best MMO

"X-Play 2008: The Year in Video Games" � Tuesday, December 16 at 8 pm ET/PT

One-hour episode examining the Top 10 Biggest Industry-Related News Stories of 2008. From the biggest video game launch in history, EA's attempt to takeover Take Two, and record-breaking sales, to Jack Thompson being disbarred, "X-Play" leaves no stone unturned, including the good, the bad, the wild and the over-hyped:

Mass Effect Sex Scandal

Jack Thompson disbarred

Itagaki Sues Tecmo

Metal Gears Solid 4's Controversial cut scenes and review tactics

EA's Take Two takeover Bid

Activision/ Blizzard Merger

Music Movers (AC/DC, Hendrix, the Beatles, and Metallica signed to games)

E3 Re-Launches

Final Fantasy XIII Heads to the Xbox 360

GTA IV's Record Breaking Launch and Controversial Violence/Sex

As part of this special, "X-Play" will also get face time with Grand Theft Childhood authors Drs. Lawrence Kutner and Cheryl K. Olson, co-founders and directors of the Harvard Medical School Center for Mental Health, debunking some of the myths and criticism of the popular title.

X-Lists � Sales for '08

Top 5 Selling PS3 Games

Top 5 Selling PC Games

Top 5 Selling Xbox 360 Games

Top 5 Selling Wii Games

"X-Play 2009 Preview Special" � Tuesday, December 23, at 8 pm ET/PT

One-hour special dedicated to the biggest games heading your way in 2009, including "Resident Evil 5," "Halo 3 Recon," "Killzone 2," "God of War 3," "inFamous," "Street Fighter IV" and many more.

Tune-in each Tuesday night in December at 8pm for an extra dose of "X-Play," only on G4.

Highlights from each "X-Play" special will be available on all of G4's platforms � on the web at www.G4TV.com/xplay as G4 Podcasts www.G4TV.com/podcasts/index.html; via G4 on Demand (VOD) www.G4TV.com/vod/index.html and via G4 Mobile www.G4TV.com/mobile/index/html. Additionally, G4TV.com will be a continuing source for all of the latest video game news, videos, trailers and exclusive coverage this holiday season.

About Comcast Entertainment Group

Based in Los Angeles, Comcast Entertainment Group operates E! Entertainment Television, the 24-hour network with programming dedicated to the world of entertainment, and E! Online; The Style Network, the destination for women 18-49 with a passion for the best in relatable and inspiring lifestyle programming; and G4 offering the last word on gaming, technology, animation, interactivity, and "Internet culture" for the male 18-34 demo. E! is currently available to nearly 96 million cable and direct broadcast satellite subscribers in the United States. In 2006, E! launched the E! Everywhere initiative underscoring the company's dedication to making E! content available on all new media platforms any time and anywhere from online to broadband video to wireless to satellite radio to VOD. The Style Network currently counts 59 million cable and satellite subscribers and G4, the #1 podcasted cable network in America, is available in more than 65 million cable and satellite homes nationwide.